Semi-buoyant vehicle with aerodynamic lift capability

Abstract

The invention is a non-ridged, semi-buoyant vehicle. In detail, the invention includes a pressure stabilized gasbag having front and rear ends and an aerodynamic shape capable of producing lift, and longitudinal, vertical and horizontal axis, the tail end of the gasbag extending outward along the horizontal axis from each side of the longitudinal axis toward said front end at an acute angle to the horizontal axis. A horizontal tail surface is mounted outboard of the rear end of the gasbag, having a trailing edge extending outward along the horizontal axis from each side of the longitudinal axis toward the front end at the acute angle to the horizontal axis. A horizontal ridged beam is mounted outboard of the rear end of the gasbag that extends outward along the horizontal axis from each side of the longitudinal axis toward the front end at the acute angle to the horizontal axis with the horizontal tail surface mounted to the beam. The preferred acute angle is approximately 20 degrees. The gasbag further includes a plurality of vertical catenary curtains attached between the top and bottom surfaces of the gasbag. A vertical extending flexible bean is attached to each of catenary curtains. These straps have top and bottom ends extending out of the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of said gasbag. Top and bottom attachment fittings are mounted by a first end to the top and bottom ends, respectively, of the ridged beam and by their second ends to the top and bottom ends, respectively, of the flexible straps.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A non-ridged, semi-buoyant aircraft comprising a pressure stabilized gasbag having front and rear ends and an aerodynamic shape capable of producing lift, and longitudinal, vertical and horizontal axis, said tail end of said gasbag extending outward along said horizontal axis from each side of said longitudinal axis toward said front end at an acute angle to said horizontal axis, 
       a horizontal tail surface mounted outboard of the rear end of said gasbag, said horizontal tail surface having a trailing edge extending outward along said horizontal axis from each side of said longitudinal axis toward said front end at said acute angle to said horizontal axis, said acute angle being approximately 20 degrees,  
       a horizontal ridged beam mounted outboard of the rear end of said gasbag, said horizontal beam extending outward along said horizontal axis from each side of said longitudinal axis toward said front end at said acute angle to said horizontal axis, said horizontal tail surface mounted to said beam, said gasbag having a plurality of vertical catenary curtains attached between said upper and lower surfaces of said gasbag,  
       a vertical extending flexible strap attached to each of said catenary curtains, said straps having top and bottom ends extending out of said top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of said gasbag,  
       top and bottom attachment fittings mounted by a first end to the top and bottom of each ridged beam and by their second ends to said top and bottom ends, respectively, of said flexible straps such that said attachment fittings secure said beam to said gasbag.  
     
     
       2. A non-ridged, semi-buoyant aircraft comprising a pressure stabilized gasbag having front and rear ends and an aerodynamic shape capable of producing lift, and longitudinal, vertical and horizontal axis, said rear end of said gasbag extending outward along said horizontal axis from each side of each longitudinal axis toward said front end at an acute angle to said horizontal axis, said gasbag having a plurality of vertical catenary curtains attached between said upper and lower surfaces of said gasbag in proximity to said rear end thereof, 
       a horizontal tail surface mounted outboard of said rear end of said gasbag, said horizontal tail surface having a trailing edge extending outward along said horizontal axis from each side of said longitudinal axis toward said front end at said acute angle to said horizontal axis, said acute angle being approximately 20 degrees,  
       a horizontal ridged beam mounted outboard of said rear end of said gasbag, said horizontal beam extending outward along said horizontal axis from each side of said longitudinal axis toward said front end at said acute angle to said horizontal axis, said horizontal tail surface mounted to said beam,  
       a vertical extending flexible beam attached to each of the catenary curtains, said straps having top and bottom ends extending out of said top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of said gasbag,  
       top and bottom attachment fittings mounted by first ends to the top and bottom, respectively, of each ridged beam and by their second ends to said top and bottom ends, respectively, of said flexible straps such that said attachment fittings secure said ridged beam to said gasbag.